England under-21 boss David Platt has explained why Hammers striker Jermain Defoe missed out on selection for the full England squad.
Platt, speaking ahead of tonight's European qualifier against Portugal revealed that Defoe - whom he describes as 'a phenomenal talent' - had been selected for the under-21's at his request."Sven is more than aware of Jermain and had this game been a friendly, and with Jermain in form at West Ham, you never know if he would have been in," he said.
"Sven was at West Ham on Saturday after which I spoke to him in the evening and he said Jermain had done very well, which didn't surprise me. Nobody tells me anything different about Jermain.
"I spoke to him again on Sunday and he said 'Well, you take Defoe because you like him'. That is not to say he doesn't like him because whenever he names a squad Jermain has been considered.
"But Sven is conscious of the fact it's good for Jermain's experience to be with us, and I like him in my team, and Sven knows I like him a great deal.
"What Sven has to look at is his team and you go with that in mind. I'm sure Sven, for these two games, had his team and substitutes in mind.
"So Defoe is better off playing in these games rather than Sven taking him and then sitting in the stand - maybe.
"He's also doing me a favour because he knows I like him so much, so it's my fault Jermain Defoe is not in the seniors.
"But I spoke to him this week and there is nothing so certain in my mind he will be a full international. It's not a matter of if, it's when. He is a phenomenal talent who I think just gets better and better."
Hammers fans were amazed when Erikkson announced his squad last weekend - a squad which omitted Defoe in favour of the likes of Darius Vassell, Francis Jeffers and Wayne Rooney; none of whom have scored as many goals as Defoe this season.
But Jermain appears to have accepted the situation; responding to Platt's comments he said:
"It's nice for someone like David to say those kind of things because he has been there and he has done it and I look up to him.
"It's all positive stuff. It keeps my confidence high when people say things like that, and it means I can only improve.
"It's a case for me to keep on playing well for West Ham, keep working hard and when I do come away with the under-21s, just doing the best job I can."
Defoe is one of four Hammers named in tonight's starting XI; he is joined by Stephen Bywater, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick - whilst Glen Johnson, making his first appearance in the under-21 squad will start on the bench.
Live coverage of tonight's match can be seen on Sky Sports.
England under-21's (starting XI): Bywater (West Ham), Samuel (Villa), Dawson (Forest), Bramble (Newcastle), Konchesky (Charlton), Prutton (Southampton), Carrick (West Ham), Cole (West Ham), Barry (Villa), Defoe (West Ham), Ameobi (Newcastle).
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